08 Dragon 700 Reliability?

[clatla]

So I will just start off by saying I have been a Doo rider for years but want to get a Poo for out west. I hear nothing but motor issues on the 800's. I was wondering what everbody knows about the 700's? How have they held up? I know they are little weaker in the HP #'s but had a 700 back in 2000 and it was a good motor. I have found a good deal on a 08 Dragon 700 with 1600 miles. Is there anything I should be looking for? Thanks in advance.

 

[shmuckaluck]

former doo rider

Hey guys,
I rode an 800 ski doo for 7 years and got a good deal on a new 08 700 dragon in 09. I had friends that had them and they where good sleds so I bought it and it has been a great sled with a SLP pipe and muffler it has just as much as the 800 and have had no problems, and its a fun sled to ride.

 

[clatla]

I was also wondering if there were any chasis or suspension changes from 08' to 10'? The one I was looking at has some SLP goodies and better boards.

 

[shmuckaluck]

Hey guys,
Ya, I have the better boards and the bar riser off the 800's, pipe and muffler and I just putt a head with the domes that can be changed, and I did put some V-force reeds in it but they did nothing at all for performance, the stock reeds are good. people are surprised it's a 700. and have never heard any complaints about the 08 700's.

 

[2XM3]

09 700 slp pipe and can...ZERO issues...great sled pull and go. same power as updated 800 in our seat of pants testing.

 

[Rick!]

I was also wondering if there were any chasis or suspension changes from 08' to 10'? The one I was looking at has some SLP goodies and better boards.

'08 to '09 there weren't many changes but they did help a bunch.
1. gearing change to 19/41 - by far the biggest improvement IMO
2. new plastic, front bumper and fenders
3. lightweight spindles

Not much but I really noticed the gearing in the hills. A PC V helps a bunch at low elevations and also at high elevations in my experience.

'10 was just a carbon copy of '09 with new graphics.

I had an '07 Dragon, '08, 2 - '09's and a '10 700, all 155's. Never had a lick of trouble with any of them.

 

[MORSNO]

The 07 and newer CFI 700's have been great engines (around 140 horse stock). The only big difference from an 800 is the torque, most noticable on long climbs. You'll find guys who upgraded to 800's for the power, but they will almost always praise their 700's...some/most wishing they still had their dependable 700.

Let us know what you decide on.

 

[Ski-Dont89]

I was also wondering if there were any chasis or suspension changes from 08' to 10'? The one I was looking at has some SLP goodies and better boards.

in 09 they also changed the rails

 

[sleddin pete]

My 08 D-7 has been super reliable,2400+ miles and nothing but maintenance.I re geared it to 19/42 and an RMX high altitude kit(head and pipe mod) and some vents.Better Boards also to clear the snow from the running boards.
Great Sled.

 

[Rick!]

in 09 they also changed the rails

Ah yes, that's right. They bend easier than the older rails - I used the Assault rail stiffeners to remedy that.

 

[Ski-Dont89]

Ah yes, that's right. They bend easier than the older rails - I used the Assault rail stiffeners to remedy that.

i disagree with that...they are the same rails used on the pro's

 

[AKboondocker]

Came off a piped M8 and now have a 10 700 with SLP pipe/can and Walker Evans needles all the way around. Sick boondocker!!! I like it alot better than my M8 now that Ive gotten used to the chassis. The upgraded shocks made a huge difference, not only on the trail, but in the tighter technical pow riding as well. I jumped on my buddies 10 800 RMK stock and it had a bit more snap from the extra torque, but had a slight intermittant bog in the on/off throttle tree riding. Id prefer the 700 set up like I have it to the 800 for sure. I HIGHLY suggest changing the stock shocks! Great sled.

 

[trikerider]

My riding buddy bought a new 08 D7 155 the same year I got my 09 D8 163. We both have over 2000 miles and he has had no troubles, it's kinda weird but my 800 has also run flawlessly.

 

[Water Boy]

Sorry to be the spoiler in this party, but my wife and I are on motor # 4. It's the same thing every time with her 2008 switchback, mag side siezed. first time it took the whole motor, so polaris installed a new long block. Now its down again, same thing only we get to pay for this one.
My 08 RMK did the same thing only on the pto side. No one at our dealer or polaris can tell us why, so they just put in new parts and out the door they go. Traded the RMK for a 09 ASSAULT, put two motors in that one in less than 2000 miles.
Have a new Pro 800 155 now, 550 miles and nothing but smiles so far. I hope it holds up

 

[MORSNO]

Sorry to be the spoiler in this party, but my wife and I are on motor # 4. It's the same thing every time with her 2008 switchback, mag side siezed. first time it took the whole motor, so polaris installed a new long block. Now its down again, same thing only we get to pay for this one.
My 08 RMK did the same thing only on the pto side. No one at our dealer or polaris can tell us why, so they just put in new parts and out the door they go. Traded the RMK for a 09 ASSAULT, put two motors in that one in less than 2000 miles.

Are you talking about 700's or 800's? The OP is asking about an 08 700 which has seen very few issues, yes there are a few but I've never heard of multiple burn downs like the 800's are experiencing.

 

[Water Boy]

Both 08's were 700's, they have the same heating problems around the exaust port like the 8's have. It just takes longer to show up. The 08 switch took out the first motor at about 2700 miles, the second 2000 miles later.The RMK 700 only lasted about 1300 miles. I got rid of it when no one could tell me why this was happening. We like to ride and it was not unusual to put on 7 to 10,000 trouble free miles on our older (before the CFI) 6's and 7's.